Ernst W rthwein's introduction to the Biblia Hebraica has long served as a textbook for generations of theological students interested in the history of the Old Testament text and the problems of textual criticism. From its first appearance in 1952 to the fifth edition in 1988, W rthwein faithfully updated the book in light of new research. But now a new edition of W rthwein is due.While staying true to the original structure and character of W rthwein's classic work, Alexander Fischer has rewritten the text completely to bring it totally up to date with current scholarship. Besides updating information throughout, this edition includes a new chapter on the texts from the Qumran. Fischer's Text of the Old Testament will be an indispensable resource for serious students of the Biblia Hebraica and Old Testament exegesis."